HALF-TERM FUN: What's on around Mansfield and Ashfield

From climbing trees and pony riding to poetry writing and craft workshops - there’s plenty to do in the surrounding areas.

Mansfield District Council has organised a list of activities happening around the area from February 12 to 21.

There are family-friendly activities at the Palace Theatre, Mansfield leisure centres and adventure activities outside the district.

And there will be ArtBeat! sessions on weekdays at Mansfield Museum.

Here’s a list of activities taking place on specific days next week:

On Monday, Oak Tree Leisure Centre is holding fun sessions and ‘soccer stars’, whilst the River Maun Recreation Centre will host Kick boxing and a bouncy castle. Children will also be able to go to a poetry making session with Peter Rumney at Mansfield Central Library. Mansfield Museum is also having a ‘Lego Day’ which will be free of charge.

Tuesday will see the same activities at Oak Tree Leisure Centre, as well as gymnastics and trampolining sessions, Mansfield Central Library is holding a ‘Rhyme, rattle and roll’ session and Bump, baby and toddler festival - both free of charge, and Mansfield Palace Theatre will show Pongo’s Party from 2pm. River Maun Recreation Centre will have a dance mat and party games in the morning, and Four Seasons Shopping Centre will have the Buzzy B Club.

On Wednesday, Water Meadows Leisure Centre will be having a ‘wave rave’ and the River Maun Recreation Centre will have Mansfield Town Football. Oak Tree Leisure Centre will also be holding tennis sessions and Judo lessons.

Many of these activities will continue through Thursday, with Oak Tree Leisure Centre also offering gymnastic and dance sessions today. People will be able to learn karate at Meden Sports Centre and have another go on the bouncy castle at the River Maun Recreation Centre.

On Friday and Saturday. there will be more family fun at the leisure centres across the district, with a junior gym at the Water Meadows Leisure Centre on Friday and Badminton session at Oak Tree Leisure Centre on Saturday. There will also be a pop-up flashback theater at Mansfield Central Library on Saturday.

As well as these specific activities, the surrounding area also has lots of other things to do.

In Mansfield, there is the Playmania Indoor Playcentre - an indoor adventure centre where both children and parents are welcome - and the Derbyshire Pony Trekking Centre on Chesterfield Road.

In Sutton, the Lammas Leisure Centre can offer family-friendly ice-skating and lots of other sporting opportunities. Sutton is also home to the Jimmy Beans adventure playground, for every child from newborn to ten years old.

Edwinstowe is home to the Sherwood Forest Railway, where families can take a ride on the 1-mile track through Sherwood Forest. And not to forget the Go Ape obstacle course is based in the forest here - whith multiple different courses designed for different levels and age groups.

In Farnsfield, families can visit Wheelgate Adventure Park which has attractions, rides and the new Robin Hood’s Waterpark and Splash Land. Farnsfield is also the home to White Post Farm, where people can go and meet newborn animals, eat at the cafe and do a bit of shopping.

Huthwaite is home to Asylum Skatepark, an indoor skating park and cafe which is family-friendly. You can also go go-karting at The Kurburgring outdoor experience.

Also around the area, Newstead Abbey, Clumber Park and Papplewick Pumping Station are good places to visit for a full family day out.

For more information about activities organised by the council, visit www.mansfield.gov.uk/whatson.